Tokyo 29 Aug - 2 Sep 2012

Continued from http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/09/mt-fuji-part-2-25812-to-3912_10.html.

We rechecked-in at YMCA upon our return to Tokyo. Over the next four days we visited several popular tourist spots around Tokyo. There were:

1. Yasukuni Park- Yasukuni Shinto shrine is located in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It is dedicated to the soldiers and others who died fighting on behalf of the Emperor of Japan during World War II. The shrine has attracted controversy for enshrining a number of war criminals.

2. Kitanomaru National Park – is one of the renowned parks in Tokyo and it is situated at the northern side of the famous Imperial Palace in Tokyo and is near to the famous Yasukuni Shrine. Kitanomaru Park. The park is a favorite getaway for the people of Tokyo and visitors for its calm and serene surroundings. Kitanomaru Park in Tokyo houses a number of important buildings, namely The Science Museum Tokyo, The National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo and the Nippon Bodukan (the hall of martial arts).

3. Tokyo Imperial Palace - is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family. The palace buildings and inner gardens are not open to the public. The Imperial East Garden is open to the public throughout the year except certain rest days.

4. Ginza shopping area – is Tokyo's most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district, featuring numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, night clubs and cafes. Apparently, every leading brand name in fashion and cosmetics has a presence here.

5. Asakusa Sensoji Temple – is dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon, also known as Guan Yin or the Goddess of Mercy. It is Tokyo's oldest temple, and one of its most significant. Nakamise-Dori, the street leading from the Thunder Gate to the temple itself, is lined with small shops selling souvenirs ranging from fans, woodblock prints, kimono and other robes, Buddhist scrolls, traditional sweets to modern gadgets. These shops are part of a living tradition of selling to pilgrims who walked to Sensō-ji Temple.

6. DisneySea – is a fantasy theme park unique to Tokyo Disney Resort. It was inspired by the myths and legends of the sea. It is a more adult orientated park, including faster, scarier rides and shows designed more for an older audience. Tokyo DisneySea is made up of seven themed ports of call: Mediterranean Harbor, Mystery Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery and American Waterfront.

7. Tsukiji Fish Market – is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. The outer market is a mixture of wholesale and retail shops that sell Japanese kitchen tools, restaurant supplies, groceries, and seafood, and many restaurants, especially sushi restaurants.

8. Harajuku - is also a fashion capital of the world, renowned for its unique street fashion. Young people dress in a variety of styles including gothic lolita, visual kei, and decora, and cosplayers spend time socializing here. The fashion styles of these youths rarely conform to one particular style and are usually a mesh of many.

9. Zenshoan Temple – is famous for a private collection of Edo-period ghost scrolls. The 50 silk paintings, most of which date back 150 to 200 years, depict a variety of apparitions from the forlorn to the ghastly. Unfortunately, it was closed on Sunday when we visited it.

We returned to Malaysia on 2.9.2012. I was truly contented for having accomplished the Asian Trilogy comprising Mt Kinabalu - 4095m (Malaysia), Mt Yushan - 3952m (Taiwan) and Mt Fuji -3776m (Japan).


For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/15252.

Mt Fuji (Pt 2) 25-28 Aug 2012

Continued from http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/09/mt-fuji-part-1-25812-to-2912_6.html

Fujisan Hotel located at the original 8th station and at an altitude @ 3400m asl can accommodate 500 people in its upper and lower huts. It possesses an eco-friendly toilet requiring a fee of JPY200 for each usage.

Each person was given a two-foot wide berth with a sleeping bag and a blanket. I found my sleeping bag covered with some mud and hence decided against using it. I simply wrapped myself with a thin base layer, a fleece T-shirt, a fleece jacket and a thin shell as well as a fleece cap, a polar buff and gloves to keep warm.

At about 12 a.m, hikers were already up and preparing to start their hikes. However, we ‘slept’ till 2.30 a.m. In fact, we were the last batch and the hotel operator had to alert us to wake up for the summit hike. We took energy bars for our snack and left the hut about 3 a.m. The uphill hike was painfully slow due to the huge number of climbers. Just before the 9th station, our guide told us to cross a rope divider to use up another route (which is the descending route) to the peak. We reached the peak at about 4.45 a.m. in time to watch the sunrise at 5.07 a.m. Thereafter, we proceeded to a shop at the 10th station (Peak) to have our morning breakfast. The peak was super crowded! We spent time roaming about the peak taking photographs and buying souvenirs before we left at about 7.30 a.m. The downhill trek was easy but slippery. We took ½ hour break at Fujisan Hotel to collect our possessions and to change into something more comfortable before proceeding downhill via the Yoshida Trail. We took slightly more than 3 hours to hit the Subaru Line 5th station (2300m asl) at 11.15 a.m.

The Subaru Line 5th station is certainly more developed than Subashiri 5th station with modern shops and amenities for tourists. From here we took a 40 minutes bus ride to Kawaguchiko sataion where we were picked up in a van from K’s House. We spent the rest of day cleaning and washing up as well as patronizing nearby restaurants for our meals and supermarkets for food.

The following day was free and easy. We merely walked round the shore of Lake Kawaguchiko and visited Mt Tenjo (1104m asl) using cable car (instead of hiking). Unlike the mountain, the weather was very hot and humid and we decided to end our tour early to get back to Tokyo. The bus journey from Kawaguchiko station to Shinjuku took about 1.45 hour. From Shinjuku, we took the tube back to Suidobashi Station near YMCA. That evening I took instant noodle for dinner for everyone was too reluctant to leave their comfortable beds.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/15242.

Next: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/09/tokyo-part-3-25812-to-2912_12.html

Mt Fuji (Pt 1) 25-28 Aug 2012

On 25.9.2012, Chin Pooi Li, Kathy Mui, Jenny Lee and myself flew into Haneda Airport, Tokyo to begin our Mt Fuji adventure. By the time we cleared immigration and collected our luggage, it was already past 12.30 a.m. We were thankful that prior arrangement had been made for Airport Transfer Narita to send a driver to receive us at the arrival lobby and transfer us to YMCA, Chiyoda. The standard taxi Toyota Crown boot compartment was large enough to accommodate 4 cabin-size cases. The ride took about an hour costing JPY8,400 (all-in price).

At YMCA, Chiyoda we had to wait for about 2 hours before we were able to check-in. The rooms came with attached bathroom as well as air-conditioner, TV and refrigerator were clean and comfortable. The room price was JPY4,620 ppn.

After a good rest, we decided to take the rest of day easy as not to exhaust ourselves in preparation for Mt Fuji ascent the following day. We merely walk around to familiarize ourselves with the neighbourhood and the public transport system.

On 27.9.2012, we took a taxi at 5.30 a.m. to transport us to Keio Plaza, Shinjuku to meet up with our Mountain Guide, Luke (http://www.fujimountainguides.com) at 6.00 a.m. Price:JPY30,000 pp inclusive of transport to Subashiri 5th station, 2 meals and accommodation at Station 8.5 at Fujisan Hotel. We were joined by an American named Larissa. After the completion of necessary paper works, we proceeded to Shinjuku station to light a Limited Express Odayu Train to Gotemba. The journey took 1 hour 40 minutes. From there, we took another one hour bus ride to the 5th station of Subashiri Trail, one of the five routes to ascend Mt Fuji. Another hiker Joshua joined us here.

We started at 10.24 a.m. from an elevation of 2000m asl and reached our destination of the day, Fujisan Hotel at the original 8th station of 3400m asl at 5.23 p.m. – about 7 hours of leisurely walk with several long stopovers along the way. The weather was good and the trail was safe. Initial part of the trail was easy and we were protected against the harsh sun by the alpine tree canopy. After the original 6th station, there were only sparse shrubs and there was no vegetation after the 7th station.

On arrival at Fujisan Hotel at the original 8th station, we did a quick repack to carry the essential items to the summit the following morning. It was safe to keep the remaining items at our respective bunker beds. Dinner was a simple affair and we retired by 7.30 p.m. to catch some sleep in order to prepare for an early morning hike to the summit.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/15.

Next http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/09/mt-fuji-part-2-25812-to-3912_10.html

Sg Chiling 11 Aug 2012

Somehow I am never tired of Sg Chiling. Sg Chiling waterfalls continue to provide the requisite tranquility for one to unwind and relax. This is my third trip for the year. The last trip was on 1 May 2012 (see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/05/sg-chilling-152012_4.html).

We left PJ at 6.30 a.m. and met up with the rest of the members at Rasa Keng Lim Restaurant at 7.45 a.m. for breakfast before departing for Sg Chiling. Some of us took a long break at Kuala Kubu Bharu Dam to wait for a vehicle which had accidently missed the turning into KKB and headed towards Tanjung Malim. By the time, we all gathered at Sg Chiling for registration it was already 9.20 a.m.

At 9.25 a.m. we started our trek and reached the 4th waterfall at 11.20 a.m. Here we had early lunch and spent time relaxing by the cascading river. At 1 p.m. we started our return trek and stopped by the 2nd, 3rd and 1st waterfall for photography. Some of us took the opportunity to go for a short dip at the 3rd waterfall area.

Generally, the weather was good and the river crossings were easy due to the low water level during this dry period. Various types of monkey cups were abound along the trail whilst we only managed to spot 2 wild orchid flowers.

By the time we emerged from Sg Chiling, it was already 4.25 p.m. This trip would remain unforgettable because a member lost one Teva sandal and backtracked to look for it while another member accidently dropped and lost her handphone to the the gushing Sg Chiling river.

We had early dinner at Restoran Aik Khoon, Ulu Yam Bharu before returning safely home at 7 p.m.

Trekking buddies included Kathy Choy, Teo Kim Boon, Yeoh Seng Keat, Ong Chien Kiat, Jenny Lee, Agnes Chew, Cynthia Lim & hubby, Beh Soo Hia & Sin Su Tan, Sim Kee Sen, Vince Khor, Jason Lee, Jake Lee and two other friends.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/7316.

Gunung Datuk 4 Aug 2012

I have been climbing Gunung Datuk since 2007 and this will mark my 6th trip. My last trip was more than 2 years ago in June 2010 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2010/06/gunung-datuk-1362010.html).

We left PJ at 6.30 a.m. and reached Seremban at about 7.30 a.m. to have our breakfast as well as to pack our lunch. It took us another hour to reach Gunung Datuk base at 9 a.m. Developments appeared to have caught up with Rembau and there are new roads, flyover and road lightings. After passing Rembau town from Pedas toll, one needs to be alert to take a left turning on top of a flyover in order to get to Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk. The old road has been demolished/replaced by a new flyover. The key landmark is to look out for a yellow mosque on the right side of the road and then take the left turn (diagonally opposed the yellow mosque) on the flyover (see map). We note that there were no signboards, possibly the road construction was still new.

We arrived at Gunung Datuk Base at about 9 a.m. and began trekking at 9.15 a.m. The weather was favourably cool but the trail was damp and slippery. Taking a leisurely pace, we hit the peak at about 11.10 a.m. (about 2 hours). Generally, the trail has been badly eroded with lots of exposed dangling roots. At the peak area, we noted with thumbs up for new aluminum ladders have been erected to replace the old rusty ones. After our meal, refreshment and photo taking session, we left the place at 12.30 p.m. and hit the base at 1.50 p.m.

Overall, it was a good hike with Kathy, Teo, Jenny, Nicole, Agnes Chew, Cynthia and Lim.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/14975.